Wednesday, January 25, 2017

New Harris Poll demonstrates continuing support of LGBT rights by the American public

Tuesday evening the Harris Poll released its most recent findings regarding the rights of LGBT citizens. 2,192 U.S. adults ages 18+ were surveyed online between January 9 and 11, 2017. Among the findings:

Two-thirds (66%) of adults say they oppose laws allowing
businesses to refuse service to LGBT persons because of their religious
objections (and a similar proportion (68%) stated their opposition in a May 2016 Harris Poll.)

62% of adults oppose state laws that repeal or overturn local or
city LGBT anti-discrimination laws and ban cities from passing similar
protections in the future (which has ticked up slightly from the 60% of
adults who thought so when asked in May 2016.)

On the downside, 54% of Americans support so-called “bathroom bills.” However 63% agree that all public buildings should be required to offer a single-user or gender non-specific bathroom. That side-steps the real issue which involves accommodating transgender youth in public schools. Providing separate facilities for them creates a sense of isolation for kids who are already experiencing considerable stress.